Carol Howard and her husband Christian created Cinco C’s Alpacas in
2002. After raising a family and managing her husband’s busy optometric
practice for 25 years, she embarked on a new adventure. Carol retired to
manage the alpaca farm full-time. Cinco C’s Alpacas is a seed stock
producer that maintains a large herd of colored huacaya alpacas. Carol
shows nationally, sells her champion breeding stock nationally and
internationally, and has an extensive lineup of herdsires available for hire.
She operates an on-farm retail store that offers alpaca fiber, yarn, and
products which are sourced from their alpacas and processed in the USA.
Cinco C’s Alpacas has been a boarding and quarantine facility for alpaca
exportation to Denmark and the UK since 2015.
The challenge to find knowledgeable veterinary help in her rural area
motivated her to research and attend numerous seminars and conferences
to provide her herd the very best care. Due to Carol’s desire to help other
breeders by sharing her experience and knowledge Cinco C’s Alpacas
offers educational opportunities to prospective, new and experienced
alpaca breeders.
Carol has been involved in the alpaca industry as a Member of AOA,
PAOBA and numerous other affiliates including Empire and MAPACA and
NEAOBA. She has been a Board Member and Past-President of PAOBA (8
years). Currently she is co-chair of PAOBA’s Education committee and
chairs the JTCC of AOA.
Carol would appreciate your vote to join the PAOBA BOD again.
PAOBA Bio for: Timothy “Tim” McCarty
Owner and Partner (with my with Debbie) of Heathers Acre Alpaca Farm. We have been breeding alpacas for over 25 years. We started our farm with 3 alpacas in Western NY. in just over two years grew it to 6 female and 1 male and moved it to Western Pennsylvania. Deb and I had no knowledge of alpacas, nor did we have any knowledge of farming or livestock when we began this process. So, with that we started to search for resources to help in our endeavors. To our surprise in the late 1990’s there was limited knowledge in the care, health, and marketing of alpacas and their wonderful fleece. We also found other alpaca owners here in Pennsylvania who had these terrific animals were facing the same challenges. So in the early 2000’s we banded together and formed PAOBA (Pennsylvania Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association) which we used as a catalyst to help each other by sharing knowledge, marketing tips, and our businesses strategies, and sometimes just a shoulder to cry on. Within months we applied and became an affiliate of the national AOBA organization. Now known at AOA. Within a few short years the PAOBA membership grew to better than 80 member farms.
Soon we set up our first alpaca show (PAOBA Breeders Showcase). At the Butler Fair grounds. Under tents and exhibitors brought their own stalls. We produced the first PAOBA Planet newsletter and created the PAOBA website.
I am happy to see where the membership has taken the organization, from the; PA Farm Show, to fleece collections/fiber sort, summer fleece show and educational event, PA Alpaca Princesses, and our various youth programs. Thank you to our many volunteers for supporting our great organization.
OTHER EDUCATIONAL AND BACKGROUND INFO:
MBA – Waynesburg University
BS - SUNY Buffalo – Business and Marketing
Retired - USAF Colonel – Medical Services Administrator
Retired – Manager - Technical Sales
Owners – Heathers Acre Alpaca Farm – 45 Huacayas’
PAOBA - Founding Member – Served as President and VP
AOBA - BOD 2003 – Also served on several sub committees: Show rules, Marketing etc.
Lifetime member of MAPACA
Owner and Partner (with my with Debbie) of Heathers Acre Alpaca Farm. We have been breeding alpacas for over 25 years. We started our farm with 3 alpacas in Western NY. in just over two years grew it to 6 female and 1 male and moved it to Western Pennsylvania. Deb and I had no knowledge of alpacas, nor did we have any knowledge of farming or livestock when we began this process. So, with that we started to search for resources to help in our endeavors. To our surprise in the late 1990’s there was limited knowledge in the care, health, and marketing of alpacas and their wonderful fleece. We also found other alpaca owners here in Pennsylvania who had these terrific animals were facing the same challenges. So in the early 2000’s we banded together and formed PAOBA (Pennsylvania Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association) which we used as a catalyst to help each other by sharing knowledge, marketing tips, and our businesses strategies, and sometimes just a shoulder to cry on. Within months we applied and became an affiliate of the national AOBA organization. Now known at AOA. Within a few short years the PAOBA membership grew to better than 80 member farms.
Soon we set up our first alpaca show (PAOBA Breeders Showcase). At the Butler Fair grounds. Under tents and exhibitors brought their own stalls. We produced the first PAOBA Planet newsletter and created the PAOBA website.
I am happy to see where the membership has taken the organization, from the; PA Farm Show, to fleece collections/fiber sort, summer fleece show and educational event, PA Alpaca Princesses, and our various youth programs. Thank you to our many volunteers for supporting our great organization.
OTHER EDUCATIONAL AND BACKGROUND INFO:
MBA – Waynesburg University
BS - SUNY Buffalo – Business and Marketing
Retired - USAF Colonel – Medical Services Administrator
Retired – Manager - Technical Sales
Owners – Heathers Acre Alpaca Farm – 45 Huacayas’
PAOBA - Founding Member – Served as President and VP
AOBA - BOD 2003 – Also served on several sub committees: Show rules, Marketing etc.
Lifetime member of MAPACA
Karen Nace
704 Camp Wawa Road
Schwenksville, Pa. 19473
484-318-9970
Kbnace@gmail.com
In the spring of 2019, my husband and I purchased a farm. We had been living in Berwyn, Pa.
for over 20 years and were ready to transition to a property that had some acreage with less
nearby congestion and traffic. After settling in we started to talk about what we wanted to do
with the farm. We took a class at Delaware Valley to gain some additional knowledge on small
farming opportunities. That fall, I took my grandchild to a local farm for National Alpaca Days
and thought, “They are really cute, why not”. Well, our “why not” has turned into a passion
and a love for these special animals. We started with three alpacas and now have over thirty.
I hold an undergraduate degree in Business from Gettysburg College and Master of Education. I
owned and operated a State licensed Private Academic Montessori Preschool in Exton, Pa. for
eighteen years. I also taught the Montessori Math course as an adjunct professor at Chestnut
Hill College to adults receiving their Montessori certification. This past March I sold my school
and now have more time to focus on the business side of owning alpacas.
We are still very new to this industry, and if elected I would bring that perspective to the Board.
Education has always been paramount in my life, and I know how important it is for new alpaca
owners to have a place where they can gain the knowledge needed to be successful in their
alpaca journey. There is so much more I must learn, and I appreciate the mentors who have
helped me in this journey.
As a perspective board member I look forward to sharing my business experience and to being
a part of disseminating knowledge to our members and to new alpaca owners. I welcome the
chance to work with the other board members to continue to make PAOBA a strong and vital
organization for all its members. Thank you for your consideration.
Warmly,
Karen
Hi, I'm Debbie Wambaugh. My husband, Tony, and I are new to alpacas. In 2020, we retired from our jobs in Northern Virginia to purchase our 1st 6 alpacas and start Meepah Ventures LLC, becoming the 6th generation on the family farm. Even though I grew up on a working farm, transitioning from my 40 + year career in quality, most recently as an executive at a company making aircraft electrical galley appliances, to being an alpaca farmer has been joyfully challenging. I have a BS in Quality Engineering and an MBA. The alpacas don't care. My husband and I have learned so much over the past 2 years and still have so much to learn about alpacas. If elected to the PAOBA Board, I bring the recent experience of establishing a new business, the lessons learned, the questions unanswered, drive for sucess, a cooperative attitude and above all, love of alpacas.
DJ Penica
9 Stillmeadows Lane
Enola, PA 17025
717-440-1058
Mamadj07@gmail.com
I graduated from HACC 2013 with an associate in science and passed a physics, abdominal and OBGYN boards to become a registered diagnostic medical sonographer.
I left the medical field to get my real estate license, which gave me more time to raise my three kids. I used my real estate license and background, to not only have more time for my family, but to help make our dream of owning a small farm a reality. In the Summer of 2016 I identified and purchased 10 acres in Carlisle Pennsylvania and our farm Walnut Ridge Acres was born.
My focus since 2016 has been divided on family, farm set-up (including gaining knowledge in all things alpaca) and helping my husband Jay run his business.
Professionally, I am currently responsible for an award-winning financial services practice’s back-office duties including payroll, taxes, health insurance, group benefits, and business insurance. I am also responsible for each advisors licensing and compliance requirements.
In 2014 we bought our first alpaca and since then we have grown our herd to 20. My job duties require me to be precise and attentive to detail. My alpaca life requires the same but provides me with a sense of peace and excitement that only raising such a beautiful animal can provide.
This past year, we moved to a larger property in Enola, as our growing herd required more space. This was a bit of a challenge, and our lives were quite crazy at times, but it was well worth the stress to watch my beautiful herd graze on larger pastures and relax in a larger barn.
Along with serving as treasurer on Paoba’s Board of Directors, earlier this year, I was honored with the opportunity to serve on the AOA Show Rules Committee. I enjoy serving with a diverse and creative group of alpaca enthusiasts. I’m learning a lot and look forward to being a part of critical discussion and decision making centered around our show rules and show system.
Please accept this as my bio. As I adore the opportunities raising alpaca have provided for myself and my family, I would enjoy and embrace the chance to share this excitement with others by being selected for a second term as a Paoba board member.
Warmly,
DJ
9 Stillmeadows Lane
Enola, PA 17025
717-440-1058
Mamadj07@gmail.com
I graduated from HACC 2013 with an associate in science and passed a physics, abdominal and OBGYN boards to become a registered diagnostic medical sonographer.
I left the medical field to get my real estate license, which gave me more time to raise my three kids. I used my real estate license and background, to not only have more time for my family, but to help make our dream of owning a small farm a reality. In the Summer of 2016 I identified and purchased 10 acres in Carlisle Pennsylvania and our farm Walnut Ridge Acres was born.
My focus since 2016 has been divided on family, farm set-up (including gaining knowledge in all things alpaca) and helping my husband Jay run his business.
Professionally, I am currently responsible for an award-winning financial services practice’s back-office duties including payroll, taxes, health insurance, group benefits, and business insurance. I am also responsible for each advisors licensing and compliance requirements.
In 2014 we bought our first alpaca and since then we have grown our herd to 20. My job duties require me to be precise and attentive to detail. My alpaca life requires the same but provides me with a sense of peace and excitement that only raising such a beautiful animal can provide.
This past year, we moved to a larger property in Enola, as our growing herd required more space. This was a bit of a challenge, and our lives were quite crazy at times, but it was well worth the stress to watch my beautiful herd graze on larger pastures and relax in a larger barn.
Along with serving as treasurer on Paoba’s Board of Directors, earlier this year, I was honored with the opportunity to serve on the AOA Show Rules Committee. I enjoy serving with a diverse and creative group of alpaca enthusiasts. I’m learning a lot and look forward to being a part of critical discussion and decision making centered around our show rules and show system.
Please accept this as my bio. As I adore the opportunities raising alpaca have provided for myself and my family, I would enjoy and embrace the chance to share this excitement with others by being selected for a second term as a Paoba board member.
Warmly,
DJ
Hi,
I’m Julie Wysong and I’m running for the PAOBA Board of Directors.
PAOBA is a great organization. It has helped Quarry Critters Alpaca Ranch become the full service alpaca ranch we are today. We are so fortunate to be part of this exciting association from the onset of our alpaca ownership.
Back when David and I started our alpaca business it seemed that everyone was on the same learning curve. We were all beginning alpaca farms and the information was shared as a community. We had the leaders in the industry helping us to gain the knowledge needed to make the best practices in the industry. It was learning nutrition and field management from Dr Evans, Neonatal clinics given by Dr La Ru Johnson. Julie Wassom educated us about marketing and openherd was introduced to us through the efforts of PAOBA. Wini Labrecque showed us hands on how to skirt our fleeces and Marty McGee Bennett taught us how to handle our alpacas. There are so many more industry leaders we were introduced to through PAOBA. All these wonderful educational opportunities were presented to us through our membership.
The PAOBA programs have been very beneficial to the growth of our alpaca business and because of the knowledge gained from these experiences it gives me reason to want to give back to the alpaca community.
I have been an alpaca owner since 2004 along with my loving husband David. We own Quarry Critters Alpaca Ranch, The Alpaca Gift Shop and The Alpaca Learning Studio, located in Adams County near Gettysburg, PA.
We have been PAOBA members since the beginning of our alpaca ownership. We continue to grow in our knowledge of alpacas, thanks to being able to participate in the PAOBA volunteer programs.
There are many directions to go on your journey with alpacas, from back yard enthusiasts to sending show winning alpacas to other countries.
As a public school educator, with a Master’s Degree, I believe in being a lifelong learner. Once retired from public education I turned to devote more energy to the ranch and our alpaca business. The Alpaca Gift, offering alpaca fiber products for sale and then to teach others how to use the luxurious alpaca fiber through classes taught at our Alpaca Learning Studio.
Reaching out to share with others about alpacas and their fiber has been my passion. As a board member I will bring my skills and offer them to the alpaca community to continue this great tradition of PAOBA.
I’m Julie Wysong and I’m running for the PAOBA Board of Directors.
PAOBA is a great organization. It has helped Quarry Critters Alpaca Ranch become the full service alpaca ranch we are today. We are so fortunate to be part of this exciting association from the onset of our alpaca ownership.
Back when David and I started our alpaca business it seemed that everyone was on the same learning curve. We were all beginning alpaca farms and the information was shared as a community. We had the leaders in the industry helping us to gain the knowledge needed to make the best practices in the industry. It was learning nutrition and field management from Dr Evans, Neonatal clinics given by Dr La Ru Johnson. Julie Wassom educated us about marketing and openherd was introduced to us through the efforts of PAOBA. Wini Labrecque showed us hands on how to skirt our fleeces and Marty McGee Bennett taught us how to handle our alpacas. There are so many more industry leaders we were introduced to through PAOBA. All these wonderful educational opportunities were presented to us through our membership.
The PAOBA programs have been very beneficial to the growth of our alpaca business and because of the knowledge gained from these experiences it gives me reason to want to give back to the alpaca community.
I have been an alpaca owner since 2004 along with my loving husband David. We own Quarry Critters Alpaca Ranch, The Alpaca Gift Shop and The Alpaca Learning Studio, located in Adams County near Gettysburg, PA.
We have been PAOBA members since the beginning of our alpaca ownership. We continue to grow in our knowledge of alpacas, thanks to being able to participate in the PAOBA volunteer programs.
There are many directions to go on your journey with alpacas, from back yard enthusiasts to sending show winning alpacas to other countries.
As a public school educator, with a Master’s Degree, I believe in being a lifelong learner. Once retired from public education I turned to devote more energy to the ranch and our alpaca business. The Alpaca Gift, offering alpaca fiber products for sale and then to teach others how to use the luxurious alpaca fiber through classes taught at our Alpaca Learning Studio.
Reaching out to share with others about alpacas and their fiber has been my passion. As a board member I will bring my skills and offer them to the alpaca community to continue this great tradition of PAOBA.
Please accept this letter as my application for a seat on the executive board of the Pennsylvania Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association.
My husband and I own Dark Rose Alpacas located in Slippery Rock, PA. We visited Highland Alpacas with our children many times as the owners were friends. We began our own adventure in 2013 when we became aware of a young male that needed a home. We have added to and improved our herd over the past years.
I have been a member of PAOBA since 2017 and helped with the volunteer committee for the MA & PA Pronk last year. I have also volunteered with the group at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. As a member of MAPACA, I have facilitated the youth program for that group during the last five years. I also donate items for silent and live auctions.
I have learned so much from the members of PAOBA in improving my animals and wish to continue to help promote excellence in the alpaca industry.
Yours truly,
Karen Bowman
My husband and I own Dark Rose Alpacas located in Slippery Rock, PA. We visited Highland Alpacas with our children many times as the owners were friends. We began our own adventure in 2013 when we became aware of a young male that needed a home. We have added to and improved our herd over the past years.
I have been a member of PAOBA since 2017 and helped with the volunteer committee for the MA & PA Pronk last year. I have also volunteered with the group at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. As a member of MAPACA, I have facilitated the youth program for that group during the last five years. I also donate items for silent and live auctions.
I have learned so much from the members of PAOBA in improving my animals and wish to continue to help promote excellence in the alpaca industry.
Yours truly,
Karen Bowman